Kingston, January 26, 2023 – It is with great sadness that Sail Canada shares the news of 1956 Olympian David E. Howard’s passing on January 21.
At 104 years of age, David E. Howard was the second oldest living Olympian in the world, following another sailor from Uruguay, Félix Sienra, who was born on January 21, 1916.
At the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, David Howard, who was also the Canadian Sailing Team Manager, took the eighth spot in the Dragon Class with Cliff Howard and Don Tytler.
He was also the winner of the 1954 Canada’s Cup in the 8-Metre Venture II, skipper and syndicate member of True North at the 1969 Canada’s Cup trials and of Marauder at the 1975 Canada’s Cup Challenger, as well as sailing master on off-shore racers Inishfree and Bonaventure. Past Commodore at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, where he was an honorary life member, he was also one of the original four founders of the Nonsuch class. He was inducted into the Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame in August of 2018.
“On behalf of Sail Canada, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to the Howard family and to the members of David’s home club, the Royal Canadian Yacht Club in Toronto,” said Sail Canada’s Chair of the Board of Directors, Hugh McGugan. “David was a great sailor, who proudly represented Canada at the 1956 Olympic Games, and who gave a lifetime of support to sailing in the country. He will not be forgotten.”
You can read his obituary at https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/theglobeandmail/name/david-howard-obituary?pid=203733694.
About Sail Canada
Established in 1931, Sail Canada is the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the country. Sail Canada is a leading international sailing nation, proud of its world class athletes, lifelong participants and inclusive culture. The organization and its members are committed to excellence by developing and training its leaders, athletes, sailors, instructors, coaches and officials. With the valued support from our partners, the Provincial Sailing Associations and our member clubs, schools, organizations and stakeholders, sailing is promoted in all its forms. By setting standards and delivering programs from home pond to podium for Canadians of all ages and abilities, from dinghies to keelboats, cruising to navigation, windsurfing to powerboating and accessible sailing, Sail Canada sets sail for all, sail to win and sail for life.
A sport in the Olympic program since the first Games in 1896, except in 1904, the pursuit of success in these Games is what fuels the focus of Sail Canada as Canadian athletes have so far achieved nine Olympic and five Paralympic medals.
